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August 5, 2008

The Revision Decision; Unrealistic Expectations of Cosmetic Surgery Patients and Doctors Can Lead to Revision Surgeries

by Sam Savage

CHICAGO, Aug. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery urges patients to follow certain precautions to avoid what is now being termed "revision cosmetic surgery." Revision cosmetic surgery occurs when the patient is unhappy with the results of the procedure and undergoes another surgery to fix it. In such cases, the patient may return to the same doctor to achieve better results or choose to visit another due to lack of confidence in the previous doctor.

All too often, patients desire unrealistic results from cosmetic procedures. To combat this there needs to be an honest conversation between the doctor and patient prior to the surgery in order to prevent a disgruntled patient and undesirable results.

"Patients wishing for revision or secondary surgeries can be most challenging to a cosmetic surgeon because often times these patients are dissatisfied, angry and doubtful," says AACS President, Steven Hopping, M.D., of Washington D.C. "What happened the first time in most cases is that the patient and doctor did not clearly express their expectations prior to the surgery. The doctor doing the revision surgery has to make sure that same mistake doesn't happen the second time around."

"The patient must also keep in mind that some results are completely unattainable. Especially those who seek cosmetic surgery as a quick fix to alter their appearance or want to have multiple procedures done at once need to be educated on the risks. On the other hand, doctors have to push ego aside and realize that he or she may not be able to 'fix' everything and relay that honestly to the patient," said Dr. Hopping.

The AACS reminds patients to seek the following information when considering surgery for the first or second time.

-- Ask for the surgeon's experience -- Ask for referrals from friends -- Ask for before-and-after photographs -- Ask where your surgery will be performed

To learn more information about choosing a cosmetic surgeon and to search for cosmetic surgeons in your area, visit the Academy's patient education site: http://www.cosmeticsurgery.org/. Additionally, doctors and patients are available to speak on this subject.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery is a professional medical society whose members are dedicated to patient safety and physician education in cosmetic surgery. Most members of the AACS are dermatologic surgeons, facial plastic surgeons, head and neck surgeons, general surgeons, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, plastic surgeons or ocular plastic surgeons - all of whom specialize in cosmetic surgery. AACS is an organization that represents all cosmetic surgeons in the American Medical Association through its seat in the AMA House of Delegates.

American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery

CONTACT: Sarah Massier of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery,+1-312-981-6763, [email protected]